Thursday, May 19,
The political crisis in Karnataka is affecting iron ore exports from the state.* Though the Supreme Court has directed the government to issue permits to iron ore exporters, nothing has happened till now. The non-issuance of export permits comes at a time when exporters from the Bellary-Hospet region have been flooded with orders from China.
In addition, 99 of the 150 mines cannot operate as the Supreme Court has asked for a survey of iron ore mines. The survey was kicked off last Monday and is likely to continue for more than a month.
Basant Poddar, managing director of Mineral Enterprises , said: “The new exporting season starts in April-May for shipment in June. We have to take advantage of this season. But the Karnataka government is yet to issue export permits. If the government fails to issue permits, we will not be able to fulfil the Chinese demand.
” According to industry experts, a huge stockpile of iron ore estimated at 20-25 million tonne lies in the Bellary-Hospet region. Incidentally, a joint team led by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has commenced a survey of 99 iron ore mines in Karnataka from May 16 to demarcate their boundary. All the 99 mines identified by the court in Hospet, Bellary and Sandur would come under the scanner.
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